“Art therapy is the therapeutic use of art making, within a professional relationship by people who experience illness, trauma or challenges in living and by people who seek personal development. Through creating art and reflecting on the art products and processes, people can increase awareness of self and others, cope with symptoms, stress and traumatic experiences, enhance cognitive abilities, and enjoy the life affirming pleasures of making art.” ~ American Art Therapy Association
In addition to the Adler Graduate School’s standard admission criteria, specific requirements are needed to enroll in the Art Therapy Program. This program is only offered in an on campus format.
Art Therapy Program prerequisites:
- All applicants are required to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United States or have the equivalent academic preparation from an institution outside of the United States.
- Applicants must complete a minimum of 18 semester credit hours (or 27 quarter credit hours) in studio art, which must include drawing, painting and clay work.
- Applicants must demonstrate proficiency and disciplined commitment in art making by presenting an art portfolio of their original work. Equivalency of non-academic studio art experience or art therapy-based course work may be considered on a limited basis.
- 3 credits in psychology or a related field. A related field could include, but not limited to: Anthropology, sociology, gender studies, ethnic/multicultural/diversity/intersectionality studies. Applicants may need to submit a course syllabus or course description to verify that the course addresses the pre-requisite.
- A portfolio review will be conducted as a part of the interview. Applicants must submit a portfolio of 15 to 20 images that reflect their technical and creative skills with drawing, painting, and clay media. Additional media and art processes may be included to demonstrate additional skills and experiences. The portfolio may be presented via a digital format and/or the presentation of actual art works.
- An in-person or virtual interview with Art Therapy Program faculty.
- The published program length is between 4.25 and 4.5 years to completion, depending on the track.
The Art Therapy Program’s minimum expectations are: “To prepare competent entry level art therapists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains” (CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Art Therapy, 2016, p. 3)
Art Therapy/Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling (MCFC) Track
Adler Graduate School’s unique course program integrates Adlerian theory and technique into the creative and expressive realm of art therapy. The on campus program allows students to get specialized training in art therapy theory and practice that is integrated into a 67 credit clinical education track in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling. With the completion of post-graduate field experience hours and supervision the graduate would be eligible to obtain licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Minnesota. The art therapy component consists of 28 credits of required art therapy content areas that are taught by Registered, Board-Certified, Art Therapists (ATR-BC). The field experience component consists of a supervised 100 hour practicum and a supervised 600 hour internship of which 350 hours must be direct client art therapy service, and 150 must be documented as relational hours. Students are enrolled in 1 credit of Introduction to the Art Therapy Field Experience and 5 credits of group (max 8 participants) supervision led by an ATR-BC. Students are required to have a minimum of one (1) hour of individual supervision for every ten (10) hours of client contact. Students have up to 4.5 years to complete the program.
The Art Therapy Program is designed to meet the educational standards of the American Art Therapy Association. The program prepares students to work as Art Therapists and the education required to apply for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Graduates will be eligible to apply for the Provisional Registered Art Therapist Credential (ATR-P) then progress toward the Registered and Board-Certified Art Therapist Credential (ATR-BC) after completing post-degree work experience, supervision and Board Certification Exam.
Art Therapy/MCFC Course Requirements
| 500 | Principles of Research and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| 504 | Abnormal Psychology & DSM 5 | 3 |
| 505 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| 509 | Comparative Theories Through an Adlerian Lens | 4 |
| 512 | Introduction to Professional Writing and Portfolio | 2 |
| 521.5 | Values, Ethics & Legalities in Art Therapy | 3 |
| 525 | Essential Interviewing Skills | 3 |
| 528 | Didactic (Individual) | 0 |
| 529 | Didactic (Group) | 0 |
| 533 | Clinical Assessment | 3 |
| 537 | Adv Approaches to Counseling & Psychotherapy Skills | 3 |
| 541 | Theories of Family Therapy | 3 |
| 542 | Couples Counseling | 3 |
| 551 | Foundations of Art Therapy | 3 |
| 552 | Art Therapy for Children & Adolescents | 3 |
| 553 | Group Art Therapy | 3 |
| 555 | Art Therapy Assessment | 3 |
| 556 | Art Therapy Studio: Media Exploration | 3 |
| 558 | Multicultural Art Therapy | 3 |
| 559 | Integrative Approaches to Family Art Therapy | 3 |
| 566 | Integrative Approaches to Art Therapy and Neuroscience in the Treatment of Trauma | 3 |
| 604.4 | Portfolio Defense - Art Therapy | 1 |
Art Therapy/Clinical Mental Health Counseling Track
Adler Graduate School’s unique course program integrates Adlerian theory and technique into the creative and expressive realm of art therapy. The on campus program allows students to get specialized training in art therapy theory and practice that is integrated into a 70 credit education track in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. With the completion of post-graduate experience hours and supervision the graduate would be eligible to obtain licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). The art therapy component consists of 28 credits of required art therapy content areas that are taught by Registered, Board-Certified Art Therapists (ATR-BC). The field work component consists of a supervised 100 hour practicum and a supervised 600 hour internship of which 350 hours must be direct client art therapy service. Students are enrolled in 1 credit of Introduction to the Art Therapy Field Experience and 5 credits of group (max 8 participants) clinical instruction/supervision led by an ATR-BC faculty. Students are required to have a minimum of one (1) hour of individual supervision for every ten (10) hours of client contact. Students have up to 4.25 years to complete this program.
The Art Therapy Program is designed to meet the educational standards of the American Art Therapy Association. The program will prepare students to work as Art Therapists and the education required to apply for licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Graduates will be eligible to apply for the Provisional Registered Art Therapist Credential (ATR-P) then progress toward the Registered and Board-Certified Art Therapist Credential (ATR-BC) after completing post-degree work experience and supervision.
Coursework will utilize experiential and didactic methods of teaching to help students learn the essentials of art therapy theory and techniques with clients. Students will learn methods applicable for individuals, families and groups within a variety of work settings.
Required Courses
| 500 | Principles of Research and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| 504 | Abnormal Psychology & DSM 5 | 3 |
| 505 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| 509 | Comparative Theories Through an Adlerian Lens | 4 |
| 512 | Introduction to Professional Writing and Portfolio | 2 |
| 521.5 | Values, Ethics & Legalities in Art Therapy | 3 |
| 525 | Essential Interviewing Skills | 3 |
| 528 | Didactic (Individual) | 0 |
| 529 | Didactic (Group) | 0 |
| 533 | Clinical Assessment | 3 |
| 536 | Clinical Treatment Planning in Counseling & Psychotherapy | 3 |
| 537 | Adv Approaches to Counseling & Psychotherapy Skills | 3 |
| 541 | Theories of Family Therapy | 3 |
| 551 | Foundations of Art Therapy | 3 |
| 552 | Art Therapy for Children & Adolescents | 3 |
| 553 | Group Art Therapy | 3 |
| 555 | Art Therapy Assessment | 3 |
| 556 | Art Therapy Studio: Media Exploration | 3 |
| 558 | Multicultural Art Therapy | 3 |
| 559 | Integrative Approaches to Family Art Therapy | 3 |
| 562 | Foundations of Career Development | 3 |
| 566 | Integrative Approaches to Art Therapy and Neuroscience in the Treatment of Trauma | 3 |
| 604.4 | Portfolio Defense - Art Therapy | 1 |
Field Experience
For both tracks, students will need 1 credit of 956 Introduction to Field Experience, 1 credit of 957 Practicum and 4 credits of 958 Internship. 700 total hours.
| 956 | Introduction to Field Experience | 1 |
| 957 | Practicum in Art Therapy | 1 |
| 958 | Internship in Art Therapy | 1 |
Plus an additional 3 credits from the list below
| 557.1 | Art Therapy in the Treatment of Eating Disorders | 1 |
| 557.2 | Art Therapy with Sexual Abusers | 1 |
| 557.3 | Art Therapy with Older Adults | 1 |
| 557.4 | Art Therapy and Spirituality | 1 |
| 557.6 | Art Therapy and the Psychosocial Impact of Cancer | 1 |
| 557.8 | Art Therapy and the Autism Spectrum | 1 |
| 557.9 | Art Therapy Grief and Loss | 1 |
| 557.10 | Art Therapy with Veterans and Military Families | 1 |
| 557.11 | Art Therapy for Addictions | 1 |
| 557.12 | Sexuality and Art Therapy | 1 |
| 557.13 | Art Therapy Studio: Navigating the Professional Art Therapist Landscape | 1 |